They demonstrated against Moses and Aaron, and declared to them, 'You have gone too far! All the people in the community are holy, and God is with them. Why are you setting yourselves above God's congregation?'

Isn't it enough that the God of Israel has separated you from the community of Israel? He has brought you close to Him, allowing you to serve in God's Tabernacle and to minister as the community's leaders.

But if God creates something entirely new, making the earth open its mouth and swallow them and all that is theirs, so that they descend to the depths alive, then it is these men who are provoking God.'

Many authorities state that the Torah is in chronological order here, and that the rebellion took place after the episode of the spies (Ramban; Sefer HaYashar; Josephus, Antiquities 4:2:2). The motivation for the rebellion may have been the decree that they would die in the desert (Abarbanel; see Numbers 16:14).

Others, however, maintain that the rebellion occurred before the episode of the spies. Some say that it took place when the Levites were substituted for the first-born (Ibn Ezra). The Midrash states that the motivation was the appointment of Eltzaphan son of Uzziel over the Kehothites (Numbers 3:30; BeMidbar Rabbah 18:1; Bachya). Others say that it took place in Chatzeroth (Numbers, 11:35, 12:16; Rashi on Deuteronomy 1:1). According to these opinions, nothing is recorded in the Torah of what happened between the episode of the spies and Miriam's death (Numbers 20:1).

incense The regular incense described in Exodus 30:34-36 (BeMidbar Rabbah 18:7; Tanchuma 5; Ralbag). According to others, however, it was a simple incense spice, such as frankincense (Targum according to Ramban).

men who were with Korach According to some, Korach himself was not swallowed up (Sanhedrin 110a) but was killed in the plague (Rashi ad loc.) or by the divine fire (Josephus, Antiquities 4:3:4). The Torah, however, appears to indicate that Korach actually was swallowed up, but that his children survived (Numbers, 26:10,11). However, elsewhere it seems that only Dathan and Aviram were swallowed up (Deuteronomy 11:6).

Fire Josesphus notes that this fire was supernaturally bright and fierce (Antiquities 4:3:4).

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